Dessert Served in San Rafael - Page 2

One of the other tour homes belongs to another tour sponsor, Doug Thompson, who owns Mill Valley's Thompson Studio Architects with fellow architect and brother Daniel. Thompson and his wife, Marilyn, bought their '56 Anshen and Allen model in 2015 as a fixer-upper, and Doug designed its ambitious revival.

"I love it—it's totally remodeled, it has these awesome concrete floors," Adelmann bubbled, quickly adding, "All the houses are really nice."

"I think the project scared a lot of regular homebuyers away," Thompson concludes of his home remodel. With vinyl siding added to the home prior to Thompson's purchase, he said, "Our assumption was that they covered a lot of dry rot, which turned out to be the case."

The remodel took about five months each of planning and construction, including a 260-square-foot addition that is mostly a new master bedroom. Still, he says, he and Marilyn were determined to evoke Neutra and Schindler as much as the original architects.

"For us, we looked at it as much their [Anshen and Allen's] work," Thompson admits. "The idea was, visually, not to change anything."

Thompson is one of several tradesman and artisans who will be on location at the homes to answer questions and talk about their work. He said for his and Marilyn's part, "We're quite excited about that, wanting to share what we've done, and also to be part of the community."

The tour organizers made some great finds when they sought out gift and service donations for the raffle side of the fundraiser, which includes an $800 holiday tree from Modern Christmas Tree, a ModBox mailbox, plus 15 more items.

"We went specifically to each of the gifting companies requesting what I thought would make very special raffle items. Basically, everything is so great," Adelmann proclaimed with confidence.

The realtor was equally upbeat with her last-minute tour advice, declaring, "My tip is, come early and see all the houses. They all have great features about them." Check-in begins at 9am, and the tour runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Tickets are $75 for the day.

For more information and tickets for Saturday May 19's 'Marin Eichler Home Tour 2018,' click here.